Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 167: Chapter 164: Friend of the Sun, Two Little Sidekicks

And just like that, he was fine?

Facing the four astonished people, Jon was perfectly composed.

’Others might not know I have the Epic Level blessing, Po Ao’s Gaze, but of course I do.’

’The lingering Power left by the ambusher was Advanced Level at best. Before the might of a true Deity, it was nothing.’

’Once that Energy blocking my recovery was gone, healing my body was the easy part.’

’Still, I should be a bit more low-key in front of others.’

”Everyone, why the surprised looks?”

He patted his solid chest, his tone relaxed.

”The Life Praise Ceremony led by Mr. Ingram was remarkably effective, and Pastor Alison’s Holy Water was nothing short of miraculous. Plus, I’ve always been pretty tough. Isn’t it normal to recover a bit faster?”

Xia was the first to react, her mouth falling open and her wide, golden eyes going round.

”Amazing! How long has it even been? Mr. Jon, are you even human?”

She almost wanted to go up and poke Jon’s chest muscles to see if he was really all better.

”Sister!”

Xina quickly pulled back her reckless sister, but her gaze toward Jon was also filled with disbelief.

Elder Priest Ingram also recovered from his shock, his eyes showing relief and a hint of understanding.

’He knew better than anyone what made Jon’s injuries so difficult to heal and the true limits of the Life Praise Ceremony’s effects.’

But since Jon was unwilling to provide a further explanation, he would not press the matter.

The old man simply bowed slightly, his voice gentle and solemn.

”For Mr. Jon to recover his health so quickly is in itself a miracle of the Sun God’s blessing. Seeing you unharmed has finally lifted the heavy weight from our hearts.”

This deferential attitude actually left Jon feeling a little exasperated.

Jon dropped his playful expression and tried to help Ingram up.

”Mr. Ingram, you’re too modest. If you hadn’t promptly performed the ceremony to dispel the Power lingering in my body, I wouldn’t have woken up so quickly.”

”And the Talisman you gave me granted me immense power, allowing me to fight against those madmen from the Eternal Frost Sect.”

However, Ingram shook his head.

”No, Mr. Jon. The healing ceremony was a treatment you deserved as someone who saved countless lives. And that Sun Talisman is but a trivial thing. Compared to your heroic deeds in Birch Town, my meager assistance is truly not worth mentioning.”

Then, relying on the powerful constitution of an Official Level Priest, even while being supported by Jon, he insisted on giving Jon a salute, placing his hand over his heart.

Standing beside him, Reed and the sisters, Xia and Xina, followed his example.

With no way to avoid it, Jon could only accept the gesture.

After the salute was over, Ingram took a step to the side, revealing the middle-aged Priest beside him, who had a serious expression and an upright posture.

”Mr. Jon, please allow me to introduce you. This is Pastor Reed, from the Heta County Cathedral. He is in charge of leading the Defender Army reinforcements for Birch Town and will be stationed here long-term to protect Miss Rhea’s safety.”

Reed took a step forward, his pure white Priest’s Robe spotless, his voice steady and strong.

”Mr. Jon, your combat prowess and fearless sacrifice in Birch Town were witnessed by everyone in the Defender Army. It is truly admirable.”

His deep gaze sized up Jon, carrying scrutiny, but more so, respect.

Jon, neither servile nor arrogant, returned the courtesy with a serious expression.

”Pastor Reed, you praise me too highly. Guarding peace and fighting evil are things anyone with a conscience would do. I simply did what I could.”

”To do so is no small feat.”

After the brief pleasantries, Reed’s expression turned solemn, clearly having considered this beforehand.

”Mr. Jon, in light of your profound bond with our Lord, having triggered divine miracles multiple times, and being someone Miss Rhea trusts implicitly—although you have not yet chosen to join the Church, your deeds and piety are already etched beneath our Lord’s radiance.”

He took out a badge made of Mithril, with a tiny Gold Crystal embedded in the center, and presented it with both hands.

”By order of the Church, I hereby bestow upon you the title and insignia of ’Sun’s Friend.’ With this badge, you can receive all necessary assistance from any Sun Church on the continent, including but not limited to emergency sanctuary, intelligence sharing, priority treatment, and a certain amount of material supply.”

”May the light of our Lord always illuminate your path.”

Looking at the badge, Jon was also a little surprised.

’Of course I recognize this item. Even among the top-tier players who had maxed out their reputation with the Sun Church, only a very small number possessed such a badge.’

’After all, earning respect is one thing, but receiving a deity’s favor is another matter entirely.’

’With this badge, the help I can receive is roughly equivalent to that of a Sun Knight—the same level as that Royce Aston I had met before, a dignified Advanced Level Saint Professional.’

’Just how high is this level of authority?’

’If I wished, and had a suitable reason, I could even use this badge to mobilize a church’s Defense forces—and this applies to any church on the entire continent!’

’The intangible power this represents is self-evident!’

At this, Jon also grew serious and accepted the badge with great solemnity.

”I am deeply honored by the Church’s great favor. This trust is of immense significance to me.”

As the badge settled in his hand, a warm current flowed through his entire body.

’This badge isn’t just a symbol; it’s also a Rare Level accessory!’

—

[Badge of the Sun’s Friend (Rare - Accessory)]